13 July 2017 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is seriously concerned about reports of alleged breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) by members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) operating in Afghanistan. An ALHR spokesperson said, “the reports published yesterday by the ABC are deeply shocking. Allegations that reckless and negligent behavior of Australian … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed a Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters report which recognises serious flaws in the Turnbull Government’s “gag law” Bill. However, the country’s leading association of human rights lawyers fears the amendments recommended by the Committee do not go far enough to address the very serious human … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is alarmed by the rule of law crisis on Nauru, but has applauded the decision of the Chief Justice to tonight extend bail for political protestors whose planned appeal to the High Court was thwarted by the termination of a treaty between Australia and Nauru that previously provided for … Read More >>
In a submission to the Federal Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has expressed serious concerns regarding the provisions of the proposed Identity-matching Services Bill 2018 and the Australian Passports Amendment (Identity- matching Services) Bill 2018. ALHR’s Acting President, Kerry Weste said, “We are shocked that the time frame … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed statements by Defence Minister Marise Payne, speaking on behalf of Foreign Minister Julie Bishop reaffirming Australia’s commitment to its partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation. However, ALHR has also called on the Federal Government to do more to ensure that Australia is meeting its international obligations … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is deeply concerned by the comments of Assistant Minister for Children, David Gillespie, that the interests of Indigenous children might be better served through adoption outside of their culture, rather than being placed within their communities. Dr Amy Maguire Co-Chair of ALHR’s Indigenous Rights Committee said, “As a signatory … Read More >>
Human rights lawyers react to Labor’s Tasmanian abortion pledge with a call for national action and decriminalisation in all Australian States and Territories. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has reacted to today’s policy announcement by Tanya Plibersek that a Federal Labor government would fund access to surgical abortions for Tasmanians by calling on all … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) applauds the Government’s commitment today to introduce a modern slavery bill to Parliament by mid-2018. Speaking to stakeholders at a seminar in Canberra, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Alex Hawke said that, “2018 will be a landmark year in acting on modern slavery” and explained the Government aims to … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) calls for immediate steps to be taken to end the torture, violence and abuse against prisoners with disabilities following the release of the report by Human Rights Watch: I Needed Help, Instead I was Punished: Abuse and Neglect of Prisoners with Disabilities in Australia. “The report is very powerful … Read More >>
Leading human rights experts say measures will severely restrict freedom of speech and political communication. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has slammed the the provisions of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017 and the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017. ALHR is concerned that the Bills far exceed their … Read More >>
In June 2017 the Federal Government commissioned an Independent Review of Australia’s primary complaints body for dealing with corporate human rights abuses, the OECD Australian National Contact Point (ANCP). Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) welcomes the Final Report of the Independent Review published in December 2017. The ANCP, currently housed in The Treasury, was … Read More >>
During last year’s Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia, the Government outlined a proposal to require large corporations operating in Australia to publish annual statements outlining their actions to address modern slavery throughout their business and supply chains. The Walk Free Foundation has estimated there are up to 40.3 million victims of … Read More >>
